Colon Specific Gene and Protein and Cancer

Abstract

Human Colon Specific Polynucleotides (DNA and RNA), Polypeptides, and Antibodies, as well as methods for using and producing such polynucleotides, polypeptides, and antibodies are disclosed. More particularly, methods are disclosed for utilizing such polynucleotides, polypeptides, and antibodies to detect, diagnose, prevent, treat, and / or ameliorate cancer (particularly gastrointestinal tract cancers such as colon and pancreatic cancer). Also disclosed are compositions and methods for targeting and destroying cancer cells (particularly gastrointestinal tract cancers such as colon and pancreatic cancer) via the Colon Specific Protein and / or via the Colon Specific Protein Receptor. Moreover, methods of screening for antagonists and binding partners of the Colon Specific Protein and therapeutic uses of such antagonists and binding partners are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 291,773, filed Nov. 12, 2002, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of U.S. provisional application No. 60 / 331,246 (filed on Nov. 13, 2001); this application is also a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S application Ser. No. 09 / 525,041 (filed on Mar. 14, 2000), which is a divisional of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 162,508 (filed on Sep. 29, 1998)(now U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,722 issued Jun. 27, 2000), which is a divisional of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 468,413 (filed on Jun. 6, 1995) (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,494 issued Jan. 19, 1999). Each patent and patent application referenced above is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0002] This invention relates to newly identified polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded by these polynucleotides, antibodies ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0038] As described herein, it has been discovered that the Colon Specific Gene and Protein is expressed by both normal and diseased tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. It has also been discovered that some cancer cell l

Problems solved by technology

Although colon and rectal cancers are currently treated with increasing rates of success, pancreatic cancer and other upper GI tract cancers (such as adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus, stomach, bile ducts, liver, and duodenum) continue to induce high rates of mortality.

The prognosis for persons with an GI tract adenocarcinoma, for example, is often very poor because these tumors are usually not detected early, grow aggressively, and are not particularly sensitive to chemotherapy.

Polyps often cause bleeding, which may occult or gross, but rarely cause pain unless complications ensue.

Papillary adenoma, a less common form found only in the colon, may also cause electrolyte loss and mucoid discharge.

Sigmoidoscope examination, however, only detects about 50% of colonic tumors.

The above methods of detecting colon cancer have drawbacks, for example, small colonic tumors may be missed by all of the above-described methods.

Pancreatic cancers currently account for only about 2-3% of all cancers, however, pancreatic cancer is the fourth most frequent cause of cancer deaths.

Surgery is not done, however, when it is found that the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas.

When cells in the adrenal cortex become cancerous they may produce abnormal hormone quantities (resulting in symptoms such as high blood pressure, weakening of the bones, diabetes, and swelling of the sex organs).

The extra catecholamines cause high blood pressure (hypertension), which causes headaches, sweating, pounding of the heart, pain in the chest, and a feeling of anxiety.

In turn, untreated high blood pressure may lead to heart disease, stroke, and other major health problems.

Complications of surgery, however, include hemorrhage, damage to the parathyroid glands, leading to temporary or permanent hypoparathyroidism; and temporary or permanent vocal cord paralysis.

Parathyroid cancer may cause the parathyroid gland to make too much PTH.

Excess PTH then produces increased blood calcium concentrations which leads to problems such as depletion of calcium from bones (causing bone pain), kidney, and other problems.

However, nephrectomy is not usually performed in victims with disseminated disease.

Chemotherapy has generally not been found effective in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

Persons with cirrhosis also have an increased risk of liver cancer.

The prognosis for liver carcinoma patients is poor.

Refractory disease means the cancer is no longer responding to treatment.

Treatment is currently limited in its effectiveness.

Surgery may cure lung cancer, but can only be used in limited stages of the disease.

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